Chunking Content – Part 3

In Part 2 I discussed, in detail, the Information Types. What they are and when they are used. I concluded on the Design Principles, which are guidelines for writers to structure and organize content. Today I will describe these principles.

Chunking is a manageable unit of content/data that a reader can easily process and understand

Applying this principle helps eliminate information overload for the reader by setting the size limit for a unit of information. Research suggests that we can best process and remember no more then seven plus or minus two (7 ± 2) pieces of information at one time. When we are given more than maximum recommended amount we have difficulty remembering it. Applying this technique to on-line writing makes the data more accessible and usable. Because it’s more tiring to read information on-line than on paper, it is critical that the information be chunked with clearly defined beginnings and endings.

Example:
Having to write 24 Benefits policies for on-line access one could break out the policies into chunkable sections:

• Health and Medical
• Time and Attendance
• Long and Short-Term Disability

These sections could be broken down into smaller manageable chunks because on-line users read very little. It’s obvious users will spend more time on pages that contain more information. So when the on-line content is to be used as a help guide or reference material time is of the essence.

On average users read half the information on pages with about 100 words. On a page containing about 600 words users will read about 28% of the text per visit₁. In a study writers were able to increase usability 124% by combining several writing techniques₂.

• Concise text – using about half the word count.
• Scannable layout – organizing the text in a layout that facilitated scanning
• Objective language – using neutral rather than subjective, boastful, or exaggerated language.

The wall of text or scrolling content.
In the early 1990′s users did not scroll either because they were unaware they needed to or did not know how. About 80% of the usability guidelines are still in force and although users will scroll today writers most avoid the wall of text because:

• Run on text continues to be problematic, readers have limited attention spans. Users prefer sites that get to the point and lets them quickly move on. Besides the basic reluctance to read more words, scrolling is extra work.
• The visible real estate is more valuable than the stuff not visible for attracting and keeping reader’s attention.

Best Practices

• Stay true to the chunking limit (7 ± 2)
• Only when information is familiar or understood, increase chunking limit
• When unfamiliar, decrease limit
• Avoid the wall of text
• Your readers are the best tools in determining your chunking limits

 

Relevance – limit each unit of information to one purpose, topic or idea.

This principle helps readers feel the content is organized. It assist with comprehension and saves time because it’s easier for the users to

• focus
• learn
• remember

Chunking and Relevance go hand in hand. Chunking deals with the quantity of information and Relevance determines the type the chunk includes.

• Chunking – deals with quantity
• Relevance – deals with type of information within the chunk

These are useful especially on-line because:

• There is a limited amount of visible information at any one time
• Previously read information disappears more quickly online leaving the reader with a limited context of visible information

When applying Relevance readers can

• Identify critical items (priorities)
• focus on one point at a time (Main topic)
• quickly grasp the subject matter

Best Practices

• All material in a chunk relates to a single idea
• Indirect, transitional and nice to know information (content that can be skipped) in separate chunks

 

Labeling – each unit of information

Labeling helps readers get a preview of what’s to come. This helps them understand and access the information easier, by providing visual indicators or logical breaks identifying what the information is about. They stand out to the reader and allow for scanning, skipping and retrieving. Some labeling methods include vocal, written, graphic and/or symbols.

Best Practices

• Label all information units
• Most stand out from surrounding text
• Accurately describe or preview the follow text.

 

Consistency – Similar terms, formats, organizations, labels, sequences and abbreviations in similar content.

When writers consistently apply this principle it enhances usability and comprehension because:

• Predictable – readers know where to find what they want
• Efficient – finding it more quickly.
• Increased Learning – absorb and understand easier
• Less Distractive – focus is on content, not form.

Some of the benefits to this Principle is that multiple writers can author the same piece of content and it be invisible to the reader. Outputs or deliverables have a common look and feel, bringing standards to the next level and building cohesive units. The readers have a greater understand of the content and the relationships and similarities between the pieces of information.

Best Practices to consider are the use of standards. Identify a standard look and feel, maybe templates and the type of material included in the templates.

Example:

One template may include content specific to a Job Aid or Tool. This kind of template is not used frequently, but provides useful information like contact names and numbers.

Another type may be process or procedure, where this contains specific step by step instructions of how and when.

An image library will aid in providing a central location for writers to select and draw from when creating content. Some typical use of visual images may include symbols for warnings, caution or help. Following industry standards helps making it easier for the reader to understand.

 

Hear in Part 3 we have reviewed four key Principles that should be used when writing content. Some details included the benefits of following these Principles while providing best practices for each. In Part 4 we will continue to dive deeper into the art of writing by discussing Maps and Blocks. These are used for writers to apply Design Principles to their content where Blocks are the “Relevant Chunks” and Maps are made up of groups of Blocks. Maps and Blocks are based on Information Types and Design Principles and as we continue we will describe the structures, why we use them and their benefits.

1. http://www.useit.com/alertbox/percent-text-read.html
2. http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9710a.html

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